Memorial day and Heather's 37th Birthday

Katy Sue Searcy, age 7 months 7 days, same age as Lillian when she died

The Barrett family all met at the Orem cemetery to honor those who have passed on. Katy Sue Searcy was wearing Lillian's outfit we gave her and she was just exactly the age Lillian was when she passed away (7 months 7 days), so that was a special and amazing moment. Also while we were at my cousin Taylor Dickerson's mother's grave, Taylor just happened to call me (he lives in Oklahoma and we talk but once a year!) That was strange and amazing. Heidi gave me orange Lilly's for my birthday and put them on Lillian's grave.We also visited Grandma Sandy's gave and gave her patriotic pinwheels. It was a special memorial day.

Afterwards we went to our house to celebrate my birthday.

Here was the family text exchange inviting all to the event:
Me: Memorial day 4:00 meet at Orem cemetery, then convene at Schauers, big fire pit, bring your own tinfoil dinner, badminton net will be up.
Mom: I am excited to be there :)
Dad: What can I get you for your present. Let me know if you want a bow or a game or a doll etc
Me: your presence is my present
Grant: Yeah--either a crossbow or a compound bow
Dad: OK its the women's 10 lb yellow petty cross hair bower
Me: I've always wanted one of those but pricey
Dad: Walmart baby
Krystal: Well ok then we will bring a arrow

Well, my parents found me a toy bow and arrow to give me for my present, ha ha! And a nice gift card to go with it. The weather was perfect. My whole family (minus Kynsie on a mission) was present, and all were so kind as to give me some gifts and sing the birthday cantata for me. My sister Karli Sue wrote a poem for me, and I didn't read it out loud (partly because it was a little chaotic and I would have had to shout) partly because I didn't feel I deserved it, she was very generous with her praise, as is typical with angel Karli Sue. She also gave me a cute laurel leaf head band I feel crowned with love whenever I wear it.

Seeing the trees laugh
Or watching flowers bloom
Resembles the feeling
Of her walking in  the room

Her kindness soars over all--
With words, she heals souls
With action, she lifts burdens
With love, hearts become whole

Though weary she pushes on
Trials have known no end
Still her head is high
And stands against the wind

The one I look up to
The one who keeps us together
She is mighty and magnificent
She is my sister, Heather

by Karli Sue Searcy

On my actual birthday, though it was a regular work day, everything went well and smoothly and when that happens I feel heaven has orchestrated the day. I experienced much joy in all areas of my life's work--writing, therapy, piano lessons, marriage and parenting--the kids cleaned the house while I was at work and I got to go one of my favorite restaurants for lunch (La Jolla Grove) with Jared. It was wonderful! I feel very blessed, happy, and grateful.

Weston's work ethic and other stuff

Weston though he is busy with gymnastics practices all week still finds time to earn more money than both the girls put together doing extra chores. One Saturday morning he didn't have gym, and he wanted to earn $20, which is quite a lot of chores, but I outlined what he had to do to get that much money, and he got right to work. He worked until I finally called him inside because we had to go somewhere, which was in the afternoon sometime, and I realized he had been working for 5 hours on house and yard work. What kid does that?! I think all his gym training has created in him a strong work ethic and endurance. He sold some of his old legos in addition to chores in order to earn money to buy a new lego set which he did in about 3 weeks. He has already purchased and built it, and he said it was totally worth the $80.
Weston had a successful "mini marathon" at the school's field day, running a 6 minute 41 second mile and coming in 1st of all the 5th graders and 20 somethingth place (4th, 5th, and 6th graders all ran it). Fiora ran that race too, and we were proud that she ran the whole thing and didn't walk once, about a 9 minute mile.

 

Savanna had her final orchestra concert for 8th grade and surprised us with a little solo during the "Hobbit" theme song. She did great! Here are some pictures of Fiora at her play last week. She did a lovely job playing Camille. It was fun to see my girls perform.

Maybe Weston just gets his work ethic from me and Jared. We have been working hard this month! I haven't a proper garden plot, but I've been creative this year to find niches and corners and make room for planter pots and patches so I can grow things. Instead of lifting weights I shovel weeds and rocks! I love being outside working, it's sometimes the most happy and peaceful part of my day. Fiora likes growing things too and she helps me and gets excited about little sprouts.
 Here is a picture of me and Heidi that I loved! I showed her my garden while she was here last sunday and she was totally interested in it, ha ha.

Savanna's 14

Savanna had a birthday last week and was very celebrated. Jared and I both wanted her to have a special day, and we may have gone a bit overboard this year, she got two special days. The Saturday before her birthday, I took her shopping for some clothes because the girl is very picky about clothes and wears the same three outfits and washes them and wears them again because they are the only ones that are cool enough for her to fit in and cute enough for her body she is a little self conscious about. (She was pretty hungry after our 4 hour shopping excursion so I got her some chicken alfredo but we forgot the fork and she had to make a spoon out of a toilet paper roll, it seemed like a good idea until we took a picture then it looked weird.) Her friend Aislyn Macintyre "kidnapped" her after that and took her to IKEA just because she had never been and wanted to experience it, which was nice of them. 

That evening was her "friend party." This girl always wants a big friend party on her birthday even though I'm more of a family party kind of mom, this year I let her plan a party for her friends that included having a chalk throwing at the park. I wasn't keen about that idea but I was liking the thought of letting her invite as many people as she wanted because it would be outside at the park, she always wants to invite tons of people and I don't want them in my house. I even drove to Spanish Fork to pick up 30 bags of 100 ounce colorful powdered chalk. Alas, the rain poured all day (Mississippi style) and into the evening. Instead of canceling the party as I suggested, Savanna tried to reconvene at our house and I found myself with many 14 year olds in my living room. They were not liking the idea of hanging out there I guess, because some started walking to the park despite the cold rain and Jared had to make a plan B quick so we drove soggy them in 2 shifts down to kneaders and let them buy a treat. Savanna was disappointed, and tried her best to shake it off and enjoy the kneaders hang out instead, and Jared and I tried to put on a happy face while kicking ourselves for not having a better plan B for inclement weather.

 

Some reason the boys and girls all segregated themselves.

Caitlin and Aislyn, her two favorites stayed after the party to hang out

 On her actual birthday, though I was already burned out of celebrating it, I made her her breakfast request of grilled salmon and mashed potatoes. She had me wrap the presents (clothes from day before) so she had gifts to open. I invited all the Barretts over that evening for dinner so she could be more celebrated. That was the most joyful part of the whole birthday for me, and I hope Savanna thought so too, so I can convince her to "just have a family party" next year. :)

Savanna was very grateful for everything. She wrote us this note on the white board after we went to bed. We love you Savanna and are grateful you are in our family. What a fun outgoing cute friendly personality you have it's no wonder you want to share it with all your peers. You can plan the chalk throwing another day!

Krystal and Kollin's Wedding

Krystal Joy and Kollin Jacob now have the same initials, KJW. They tied the knot May 13 on a beautiful spring day in the Provo Temple. Much reveling went on and the entire day was devoted to celebrating these two. We all took a lot of pictures waiting around for the bride and groom to come out of the temple.

My dad and his sister Linda Whiteley

Gabe, Dextin, and Dad playing in the fountain

Jesse and Bourne

Grant and his weak eyes in the sunlight, and Knightly and Gabe

 The reception was at the building where my office is located, so all the guests got to see our advertisement of Successful Therapy with my picture as they walked in the front door. ha ha. Bella Vista was a great venue though, the decorations were beautiful, we had a manager help us set up, lots of space and a dance floor, and waffle love to cater of course. Everything went off without a hitch, Gabe was a great DJ and it was fun to see so many family and friends come to celebrate with Krystal. My girls were bridesmaids and they looked just gorgeous. Weston looked handsome too in his pink tie.

Welcome to the family Kollin Williams!